Mental health problems are the largest single source of disability (23%) in the UK and is a major cause of disease burden worldwide. Participating in sport offers opportunities for developing good mental health and well-being, but elite athletes can be susceptible to mental health problems and are less likely to seek support for these issues. The aim of this module is to examine how the culture and pressures of competitive sport contributes to poor mental health and the specific risk factors faced by elite athletes, coaches, and sport officials. We will also explore the protective factors available through sport and critically appraise the evidence-based of sport-specific interventions for improving athletes' optimal functioning and well-being.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
Critically evaluate evidence associating sport participation with improved mental health.
Critically discuss individual and contextual factors that contribute to poor vs. good mental health in competitive sport.
Apply knowledge of common mental health disorders and intervention approaches to the case formulation of an athlete, including predisposing, precipitating, maintaining and protective factors.
Relate theory and evidence together to propose a novel group-level intervention approach to promoting mental health and well-being in competitive sport.